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-According to reports, political prisoner Mansour Osalu, head of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company Syndicate is still held in a cellblock with ordinary and dangerous prisoners and is under pressure from prison officials. His physical problems have also increased in the past few days and he is in poor health but has not received any treatment. He is suffering from heart problems and severe back pain. A medical examiner has confirmed and stressed in more than 3 written reports that he is not able to tolerate incarceration and has to be released. But the intelligence interrogator in charge of his case has so far refrained from giving him a medical leave from prison.

-The security apparatus of the Iranian government headed by the Intelligence Department of the Revolutionary Guards Corps have increased their attempts at making 'TV shows' (by getting false televised confessions from political prisoners) and using jailed human rights activists for their scenarios.This is while, except for a few detainees, there is no news on the situation of most jailed human rights activists. The few who were able to make phone calls or have visits with their families were in poor physical and psychological health and in one instance where a prisoner was seen from up close, the signs of beatings with batons, sticks and shockers were completely evident on his head and body.Most detainees, who are in solitary without the right to phone calls or visits, are still deprived of lawyers and their legal and human rights. In addition to this, because of the fact that their cases are still 'open' in the court in Evin prison, their families and lawyers have no access to their files and dossiers.The illegal actions of security forces have led to serious concerns among the families of these prisoners and they have naturally stepped up their efforts to pursue the cases of their loved ones. But they are threatened by security forces while trying to get news on their loved ones through lawyers.In a number of cases, prisoners were forced to call their families and tell them not to get lawyers for them. These pressures have been so severe that prisoners have been seen to use unusual behavior and words (in their calls). In other cases, prisoners were dictated to say that the place where they are kept is suitable and without problems. Security forces have also called a number of families themselves telling them not to pursue the cases of their loved ones and not to talk to the media. These forces have threatened these families with arrest.

-According to reports, political prisoner Mansour Osalu, head of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company Syndicate is still held in a cellblock with ordinary and dangerous prisoners and is under pressure from prison officials. His physical problems have also increased in the past few days and he is in poor health but has not received any treatment. He is suffering from heart problems and severe back pain. A medical examiner has confirmed and stressed in more than 3 written reports that he is not able to tolerate incarceration and has to be released. But the intelligence interrogator in charge of his case has so far refrained from giving him a medical leave from prison.

-The security apparatus of the Iranian government headed by the Intelligence Department of the Revolutionary Guards Corps have increased their attempts at making 'TV shows' (by getting false televised confessions from political prisoners) and using jailed human rights activists for their scenarios.This is while, except for a few detainees, there is no news on the situation of most jailed human rights activists. The few who were able to make phone calls or have visits with their families were in poor physical and psychological health and in one instance where a prisoner was seen from up close, the signs of beatings with batons, sticks and shockers were completely evident on his head and body.Most detainees, who are in solitary without the right to phone calls or visits, are still deprived of lawyers and their legal and human rights. In addition to this, because of the fact that their cases are still 'open' in the court in Evin prison, their families and lawyers have no access to their files and dossiers.The illegal actions of security forces have led to serious concerns among the families of these prisoners and they have naturally stepped up their efforts to pursue the cases of their loved ones. But they are threatened by security forces while trying to get news on their loved ones through lawyers.In a number of cases, prisoners were forced to call their families and tell them not to get lawyers for them. These pressures have been so severe that prisoners have been seen to use unusual behavior and words (in their calls). In other cases, prisoners were dictated to say that the place where they are kept is suitable and without problems. Security forces have also called a number of families themselves telling them not to pursue the cases of their loved ones and not to talk to the media. These forces have threatened these families with arrest.

ncri( It is Strange that other sources that have so far been protective on news on Iran have not been so active.. ! )OrumiehA large crowd of protesters gathered on a bridge over the Orumieh Lake on Friday, on Sizdah bedar , chanting anti-regime slogans. The suppressive forces fired teargas to break up the crowd and made several arrests. Demonstrators protested against reactionary policies of the regime and drying up of the well-known Orumieh Lake.

EsfahanIn Esfahan, anti-regime protests spread to various parts of the city. Protesters chanted “Down with dictator” in Moshtaq Park. The plainclothes agents who had infiltrated the crowd made several arrests in conjunction with the State Security Forces. Protesters also chanted “Down with Khamenei” and “Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is illegitimate” in Aineh and Kourosh Parks. There were also clashes between protesters and the suppressive agents.On the eve of Sizdah bedar last night, residents of Esfahan, especially in Abshar and Bozorgmehr streets, went on their rooftops and shouted Allahu Akbar.

Park e Shahr:Near Hoayoun door, the people who had come out for Sizdahe bedar , started a protest with anti government slogans "Down with Khamenei … Khamenei is a murderer, his monarchy is not legitimate".. and started clashing with security forces that swarmed the place.

Azadi Square:20 security elements on motorbikes were equipped to harass people and stop any formation fo groups or crowds in the Square. According to eye witness reports, at least 5 people were arrested in Azadi and 2 people were inured by metal rings used by plain cloth thugs and were taken to hospital.

Shaghayegh park :Protests of people in the park lead to streets adjacent to the park and 8 people have been reported to have been arrested and 2 were injured, because they were attacked by poisonous sprays.

Tehran: 13h30Eye witness reportYouth of families who had come to Ekbatan (Jangali of Tehran park) , started in a co-ordinated act chanting "Mobarake Mobarake" and then " Down with dictator". Suddenly a swarm of security agents rose from the families who were supposed to be in the park to celebrate the festivities, and attacked the youth. Families of these youth began defending and protecting them and this caused much unrest which had the security guards soften down. As they started verbal threats, the youth that had escaped into the trees, chanted, "Down with Bassidgi" which evidently scattered the forces.

As I checked my emails I realized I was given AI , HR film festival's award.The film's name was "Zanan dar Kfan" (women in white drape for burial)

The prize should go to each and every one of the members of the campaign against stoning to death …I like to donate the sum of 5000 euro of this award to a project dedicated to bring alive the suffrage Iranian women bore through out the 1978 to 19 87…

We, the foreign ministers of the G8, affirm our unequivocal support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The upcoming NPT Review Conference in May is an opportunity to work together to reaffirm the authority of this key collective security instrument in the interest of our global security and to strengthen it.

We will continue to consult with NPT partners ahead of and during the Review Conference in order to find common ground. In this regard, today’s discussion with NPT Review Conference President-elect Ambassador Libran Cabactulan was productive and reinforced our common goal for the adoption by the Review Conference of a balanced and concrete outcome document that contains a follow-up action plan, balancing rights, responsibilities and actions on all pillars of the Treaty.

We are committed to seeking a safer world for all and to creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons, in accordance with the goals of the NPT. We reiterate our enduring commitment to the fulfilment of our shared obligations to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to nuclear arms reduction and disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.

In Narmak- Shaghayegh Park, youth started gathering to celebrate the Thirteenth day of Norooz.As they gathered with families, plain cloth agents and their families started harassing the crowd. This lead to clashes between the youth and the plain cloth agents and also security guards sent to the region

The regime, in fear of protests on Sizdah-bedar ,has set up check points and inspection posts in most of Tehran’s main streets and public places. Cars and passersby are being stopped and searched. The suppressive measures are more intense in Azadi Square and Enghelab Square where more people gather to celebrate Sizdah bedar.Telephone lines have been disrupted since Thursday in various places in Tehran, particularly in eastern Tehran and in nearby townships of Boumehen, Roudehen, Pardis, Damavand and Gilavand. Disruption of telephone lines have also been reported by state-run media which has affected the fixed lines too.

The Iranian Guards Intelligence agency site "gerdab" was hacked once again!This site is known to have updated intelligence on protesters in a bid to create fear in the Internet among activists.It has also trained hackers who deal with hacking other anti-government sites.

People have come to carry out Sizdah bedar celebrations, while the Iranian news agency had announced the previous night in State TV that cars carrying the Green of Haftsin will be fined.The crowd had started anti-government slogans as of 14h00 . This lead to clashes between youth and the security forces which intervened. It is reported that 10 to 15 people have been arrested

At 16h30, as the RGC has intervened, along with plain clothe agents to curb the protests in Ayeene Khane Park, people are resisting arrest and have started to fend off the agents by wood , sticks and stones. The clashes are reported to continue up to now.

Esfahan Report by eyewitnesses and Daliran BibakToday, in Ayeene Khane Park , along the Zayande River of Esfahan, people have gathered for Sizdahbedar celebrations. The crowd has started anti-slogan slogans, from 16h00 EASTERN TIME, and there have been clashes reported between suppressive plain clothed agents and the people.Slogans were heard in the near by streets:"Down with Khamenei"

Daneshjoo Park : People and youth who had gathered for Sizadah bedar, have started anti-government slogans. Clashes have been reported between crowd and suppressive elements that were stationed in the park and the area top prevent any protests.

It is reported by eyewitnesses and Daliran bibak that 10 to 15 people have been arrested in the park so far.The arrested people are transferred to already stationed busses brought to the place for this purpose

This is whilst, prior to the day, there had been enormous State sponsored propaganda against any gathering, as well as organized control of public places. The suppressive elements involved in the curbing of any protests in Tehran have been the Ansar Allah garrison, and also the centralized Intelligence of the RGC.They have organized their members and families of their members to be present in parks and public places as to prevent any formation of gatherings, under plain clothed agents, so as to prevent any news coverage of the suppression

Last night at 21;30, Shahrak Gharb:People chanted Allah O Akbar, and Down with dictator and Down with Velayat Faghih, to announce their embarking on the Sizdabedar Festivities.

TehranProtests in Melat ParkIn Northern eastern section of Melat Park, near Jam Jam,People who have gathered to celebrate Sizdahbedar, have turned the festivities into a protest. They have begun chanting anti-government slogans asking for change in Iran. They chant "Down with Khamenei..Khamenei is a murderer ..his Monarchy is doomed "...

IsphahanAt 13h30, people have gathered in front of Kosar Hotel in Kourosh Park, and take the chance they have had to celebrate Sizdahbedar and chant anti -government slogans.

Background to Sizdah bedar :

Persian Sizdahbedar , lit. "getting rid of thirteen","going out on 13th day of Nowruz") is the Iranian Festival of "Joy and Solidarity" celebrated on the 13th day of the new year and the month of Farvardin (corresponding to April 1 or 2, depending on leap or non-leap year), the last day of the Nowruz (IranianNew Year) period. This is the last phase of the New Year's celebrations which begins with the fire festival of Chaharshanbe Suri of the Persian New Year. The custom is to spend the day outdoors e.g., in the parks or the countryside. It is believed that "Joy" and "Laughter" clean the mind from all evil thoughts, and the picnic is usually a festive or happy event. In 2008, Sizdah-bedar coincided with April 1[1].In modern times people go to parks, have a picnic and throw their sabzeh – the sprouts they grow near the beginning of Nowruz - into a river, symbolizing the cycle of life. Some girls also tie the sprouts of sabzeh on this day, symbolizing their wish for good fortune in life and love. Some people also pull practical jokes and tell white lies on this day, calling it the thirteenth lie (this is very similar to April Fools). People will also release goldfish into a pond or river.

In August 2006, Akram Mahdavi’s husband was killed. She recently wrote a letter to Haj Kazem, the director of Rajai Shahr prison. Mahdavi stated that she “cannot endure the tortures in prison anymore.” She has demanded for her case to be reviewed as soon as possible. She has also requested to be executed if she does not receive a pardon from the victim’s family.[Translator note: In Islamic sharia Law, the family of a murder victim has the right to choose between Qesas, an eye for an eye (execution), or receiving blood money for sparing the life of the accused].The interview has been conducted by Saba Vasefi, an activist for the rights of women and children.Vasefi: Why did you attempt to kill your husband?Mahdavi: I was 13 years old when I was forced to marry my cousin. When I realized he had also married a wealthier older women, we got divorced. After he became a [drug] addict, I gained custody of my daughter. I took my eleven year old daughter with me to my second husband’s home, but she was always complaining about her step-father. She said that he “[sexually] touched and abused” her. Even one night, he went in my daughter’s bedroom [insinuating that some form of misconduct took place].My [second] husband was 75 years old and I was 21. I was never happy with him, nor liked him. I was poor so I endured his harassment. However, when the safety of my daughter was in stake, I could not tolerate it any longer.My family is really poor. I have five brothers and two sisters. One of my sister’s has hemiplegia and I have epilepsy. My family was just thinking of a way to have one less dependant. My second husband did not inform me he also has other wives; his children told me about them. One of his wives is in Khomein (in the province of Markazi, central Iran), the other one lives in Tehran. Another one is the mother of the children who are now seeking Qesas. Their mother has passed away. I was his fourth wife. Deep down, I was happy with my second husband. He was taking care of me after all. If it weren’t for him, who would have supported me and my daughter?Vasefi: Did you ever try to get a divorce from your second husband?Mahdavi: Yes, I tried, but I didn’t succeed. I remember when I went to the court, the judge asked, “What hasn’t he given you that you want a divorce?” I replied, “It’s not a matter of finance. He is 75 years old and I am embarrassed to walk with him in the street. [My family] forced me to marry this old man. I tell everyone he is my father-in-law. My daughter is young and he is subjecting her to inappropriate conduct.” The judge, however, did not listen to me at all. He only addressed my husband’s concerns.Vasefi: Why did your husband not agree to give you a divorce?Mahdavi: Well, I was younger than his other wives.Vasefi: How did you murder your husband?Mahdavi: My accomplice brought me 30 Diazepam pills. My daughter went to school and my husband went to work. At 11:00am, my accomplice came over and hid in the closet. I had changed my mind, but he encouraged me [to go forward with the plan]. He reminded me of my husband’s bad traits. At 1:00pm, my husband returned home. After he drank the beverage containing the pills, he fell asleep.My accomplice advised me to stab him. I replied that I cannot. He responded, “If you don’t, I will kill you along with your husband.” I threw the knife and it hit my husband’s neck. He woke up and said, “Akram, has somebody broken in?” I replied, “No.” Then, my accomplice stabbed him 36 times. After killing my husband, he punched the wall with his bloody hand and said, “He was a tough one to kill.”I fled home and left my daughter with my aunt. When I returned, the accomplice had burned everything. Out of fear, I fled to the north of Iran. I called my daughter. She had also drunk from the same beverage. She was crying, “Haji is dead, I don`t know who killed Haji.”Vasefi: Do you think the sentence issued to you is a fair one?Mahdavi: The court should not have condemned me to Qesas (the death penalty). I did not even stab him. The accomplice should have received it.Vasefi: Why did your accomplice insist on murdering your husband?Mahdavi: I think he knew my husband and had some feud over a bad account. My husband was an antique seller.Vasefi: How were you arrested?Mahdavi: I turned myself in. Three days later, my dad took me from Tehran to Azna so I can begin my detention in Lorestan, the province I am from. When I went to the justice department in Azna, the [officials] told me, “You have to turn yourself in to the Tehran Ministry of Intelligence, because they are looking for you.” Then, we had to return to Tehran. At 12:00am, my dad turned me in to the Shapoor [police station].Vasefi: How many days were you held in the Shapoor [police station]?Mahdavi: I was there nine days and I was constantly punched and kicked.Vasefi: Given that you handed yourself in, how did the head case officer treat you?Mahdavi: The officer in charge of my case was Mr. Darzi. He beat me up. They hung me upside down from the ceiling in a dark room. They broke three of my teeth.Darzi would hit me in the face and ask [rhetorically], “You want a younger husband?” One time, I slapped him back because of the insults he was using against me. [As a consequence], they hung me from my hands, which were handcuffed behind my back. After that, they took me to the Vozara detention centre. There was an old lady who, God bless her soul, gave me food and water.I would like to ask why no trial has been held for Mr. Darzi? Why has he not been punished? Where in the law does it state that when an accused is arrested, you have the right to beat her up savagely? My crime was clear. I even confessed and turned myself in. The punishment is also clear. Where in the law does it state that the [prison officials] have the right to beat a person like they are not human? Mr. Darzi insulted me by using vulgar language that can only suit himself. I did what I did to defend my daughter. If there is a God and a law, why does it only apply to us? God and the law have to be shown to them as well. Where in the law does it state that the interrogator is permitted to make a pass at the accused? Darzi told me, “Be my Siqeh [a wife for a Shia Islamic temporary marriage].”Vasefi: When you complained about Mr. Darzi, did his behaviour change toward you?Mahdavi: My file got handed over to case officer Boostani. He was a respected man. He would only beat me up and did not use vulgar words.Vasefi: How many years have you been in jail?Mahdavi: Five years. I am 34 years old. The victim’s family wants [approximately] $30,000 [USD]. I do not even have anybody who would come and visit me, let alone put that sum of money together. I am happy with death.Vasefi: By the way, how did they find your accomplice?Mahdavi: I did not have his address. I didn’t even know he had a family. Before they found my accomplice Behnam Zarei, they insisted that I committed the murder with the assistance of my brother. Then I remembered once I drove with my accomplice on the Qom Highway and we had a car accident. He had given his insurance and personal information to the tow truck company.Vasefi: After your divorce from your first husband, did you work? Are you skilled in a specific trade?Mahdavi: With the help of one of my friends, I gained a certificate in hair styling and I opened a salon.Vasefi: Have you ever been taken to the gallows?Mahdavi: Yes, once.Vasefi: How was the exectuion stopped?Mahdavi: One night at 6:00pm, Ms. Esmaeil Zadeh sent for me. She said that I had a trial date. I knew she was lying, and they wanted to carry out the sentence. I said my goodbye’s and asked for forgiveness. They took me to the solitary hall. That night, October 10, 2009*, Behnood Shojaee was with me too. I went to perform the ablution [Ghusl]. At 3 AM, they took me to the gallows. When we were there, the director of the women’s ward told me, “Your lawyer has been able to obtain consent from the victim’s family to postpone your execution date.” I resembled a dead soul. They took me back to the ward. I will never forget that my family did not even come to be with me during the [attempted] execution. If they had not discriminated against their daughters, I would not be here [in the first place].Translation by: Siavosh J. Persian2English.com

Reporters Without Borders is extremely worried about the appalling conditions in which Iranian prisoners of conscience, including many journalists, are being held. The authorities continue to detain them arbitrarily even when they are ailing and in very poor physical or psychological health.“The lives of many journalists are now in danger,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Emadoldin Baghi, Badrolssadat Mofidi, Mehdi Mahmudian and Mohammad Sadegh Kabovand are seriously ill. We call for their unconditional and definitive release. We appeal to the Iranian authorities to act so that these lives are no longer at risk. We will hold them responsible for any misfortune.”

“The lives of many journalists are now in danger,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Emadoldin Baghi, Badrolssadat Mofidi, Mehdi Mahmudian and Mohammad Sadegh Kabovand are seriously ill. We call for their unconditional and definitive release. We appeal to the Iranian authorities to act so that these lives are no longer at risk. We will hold them responsible for any misfortune.”After visiting her husband, Emadoldin Baghi, in Tehran’s Evin prison on 30 March, Fatemeh Kamali Ahmad Sarai reported that he was taken to a Tehran hospital with a respiratory problem on 18 March before being returned to the prison later the same day.A journalist and active campaigner against the death penalty, Baghi, 46, has been held since his arrest in Tehran on 28 December. He has been jailed several times since 2000 and was hospitalised on several occasions during his last spell in prison. Despite paying a large amount in bail, he was not allowed to spend the Persian New Year at home with his family on 21 March.The family of Badrolssadat Mofidi, the head of the Association of Journalists and a contributor to several reformist newspapers, describe her condition as critical. “She has heart problems,” one of her daughters said after a prison visit. “She is being given very strong tranquilisers as the interrogations are causing her a great deal of stress.” Mofidi has been held in Evin prison’s Section 209 since her arrest on 28 December.Mehdi Mahmudian, the journalist who exposed the inhuman treatment of prisoners at the Kahrizak detention centre, told his family by phone that he has been suffering from acute asthma. He has also suffered other kinds of attacks, losing consciousness in his cell on one occasion. He has been held for the past seven months.Held since July 2007, Mohammad Sadegh Kabovand, who heads the Kurdistan Human Rights Organisation as well as being a journalist, has had several undiagnosed attacks in his cell. His state of health is worrying but he is being denied treatment and the prison authorities have systematically refused his requests for medical parole.There are other detained journalists with health problems. They include Henghameh Shahidi, Issa Saharkhiz, Nader Karimi and Mojtaba Lotfi, a cleric and website editor who was sentenced to four years in prison followed by five years of banishment on charges of anti-government propaganda and disseminating the views of Hossein Ali Montazeri, a dissident ayatollah.

Nurooz WebsiteA female prisoner said that they are rodents in the female block of Evin Prison and a prisoner was even bit by a rodent. Mahdieh Golro, a jailed student activist, said in a phone call with her family that the lack of attention of prison officials in Evin Prison regarding the hygiene and sanitation of prisoners and on the other hand limitations set for prisoners on going to the infirmary has caused numerous problems for prisoners. According to this report, despite the cold temperatures, prisoners in this cellblock have been deprived of warm water from the beginning of the Iranian New Year (March 21) and are forced to bathe with cold water and Golro and a number of other prisoners have come down with the flu

Mukarian News AgencyJafar (Soltan) Afshari who has gone on a hunger strike in protest to not receiving a leave from prison was taken to the quarantine section of Mahabad Prison.According to reports, this man who was arrested five months ago is in poor physical health.He has been sentenced to two years of prison on charges of helping a suspect escape. Afshari suffers from heart problems. It seems he was transferred to the quarantine section to be subjected to more pressure.

According to reports by human rights activists in Iran, prisoner of conscience, Ms Zahra Jabari is suffering from heart problems and acute rheumatism and is hardly able to walk without aid. Medical authorities in prison have refused to treat her on the grounds that they lack proper facilities and the Evin interrogators have refused her transfer to a medical centre where she can receive proper care which her family has undertaken to pay.Zahra Jabari, 36 married with a child was arrested on 17 September and taken to solitary in Evin. She was tortured so badly that one of her finger-nails fell. The interrogators were pressing her to 'confess' and have even refused her family bring her fresh clothes or any visitation. She is still wearing the same clothes she was wearing 6 months ago when arrested. Ms Jabari appeared at the revolutionary count 28 on 12 March, handcuffed. Her family members were not allowed to be present. She was expected to be questioned by Mohammed Moghiseh also known as Naserian who was a member of the Commission which approved the massacre of 1988 political prisoners. The 'judge' did not show up and the court was delayed without a set date for the next time. Ms Jabari's attorney managed to get hold of her file and said there was nothing in the file except that Ms Jabari's brother and sister reside in Camp Ashraf in Iraq, where the anti-government group, Mojahedin Khalq live. This prisoner has been badly tortured and has spent long time in solitary and with her medical condition worsening and her life in danger her family and human rights activists urge the international community to raise their voices against the brutal treatment of political prisoners in Iran especially Ms Jabari and many others like her.

RAHANIn a phone call to her family, imprisoned [activist] Mahdieh Golroo reported an infestation of bugs in the women’s ward [of Evin prison]. In one case, she stated that the bugs ate the flesh of a woman.Since March 21, 2010, the prisoners in the [women's] ward have had no access to hot water, even for bathing. As a result, [some] prisoners including Mahdieh Golroo have caught colds.According to RAHANA, student activist Mahdieh Golroo (who currently has a hoarse voice as a result of the cold) previously contracted a lung infection in detention.Lack of attention by officials to the hygiene and health of prisoners and restrictions enforced on using the prison’s clinic have created a difficult situation for prisoners.Translation by: Siavosh J. Persian2English.com

Amnesty International Interview with Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions

Recent developments in Iran have prompted fears that the Iranian authorities are once more using executions as a tool to try and quell political unrest, intimidate the population and send a signal that dissent will not be tolerated.There was a noticeable surge in the rate of executions at the time of mass protests over last year's disputed Presidential elections. Although many of the executions were for criminal offences committed before the unrest, they sent a chilling message to those involved in protests.One hundred and twelve people were put to death in the eight weeks between the June election and the re-inauguration of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad in early August- almost a third of the total for the entire year.In 2009 as a whole at least 388 people were put to death in Iran - the largest number recorded by Amnesty International in recent years. Figures collated by various human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, suggest the annual number of executions has almost quadrupled since President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad was first elected five years ago. Many of those executed did not receive fair trials.'The continuing surge in executions at a time when Iran has experienced the most widespread popular unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, combined with numerous statements by officials threatening protestors with execution, indicates that the Iranian authorities are again using the death penalty to try and cow the OPPOSITION and silence dissent,' said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa…An increasing number of people have been charged with 'moharebeh', a vaguely-defined offence. According to Philip Alston, the UN's Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, it is 'imposed for a wide range of crimes, often fairly ill-defined and generally having some sort of political nature'….There was also a rise in the number of executions of juvenile offenders - people sentenced to death for crimes committed when they were under the age of 18. Iran is one of only a handful of countries to continue such executions, in clear violation of international law. According to UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston 'No state really tries to defend it as a matter of principle - it's clearly outlawed. And yet Iran continues to not only charge juveniles, but to execute them in significant numbers'….Hundreds, probably thousands, of individuals are currently on death row in Iran. Sometimes their ordeal can last for years. Amnesty International spoke to one prisoner who spent years on death row before his sentence was eventually commuted. In a telephone interview from jail he said:'Have you ever experienced receiving a death sentence? Have your partner, parents, brother, sister and relatives been told that tonight a close relative of yours is going to be executed? Can you understand the horror and shock of hearing such news? But me, two of my close relatives and our families have been going through this - not for a night or two or few nights, but for a period of over two thousand nights.'

Mehdi Mahmoudian, a journalist and member of the Participation Front is in poor condition in prison. In a recent phone call with his family, he complained that prison officials were oblivious to his condition. This journalist and human rights activist passed out last week in prison. He has been suffering from lung infection for two months but prison agents have kept him in cold temperatures with unsuitable clothes despite being aware of his condition. Mahmoudian has been jailed for 7 months in Evin Prison and was only recently able to see his little daughter. He was the first person to reveal the inhumane and illegal treatment of prisoners in the Kahrizak Detention Center two years ago.

Payam Fanayian, a Baha'i who was arrested after popular protests on Ashura (December 27, 2009) was sentenced to 6 years of prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He was arrested on January 3 along with 10 others in Tehran. He has still not received his sentence in a written form but it has been announced to his lawyer who was appointed for him by the court

More than 12 Afghan immigrants who were arrested by security forces in Iran during post-election events are still jailed. Most of these people were watching the peaceful post-election demos on the streets and did not carry out any other activities in the protests. In the past 10 months, these Afghan nationals who worked in construction sites in Tehran have suffered tremendously and they have been abandoned (by the media etc.) They have been charged with acting against Iran's national security and a number of them have received heavy charges in Revolutionary Courts. Most of them are illiterate but were forced to state in numerous interrogations by intelligence agents the name of the presidential candidate who paid them to participate in events after the elections. These immigrants were arrested in the protests but have stated many times in their interrogations that they are only paying for being curious and for watching the protests on the streets. They only wanted to know what was going on in Tehran streets and what all the noise was about but they have been jailed for close to 10 months for their curiosity.

According to reports, political prisoner Behrouz Javid Tehrani was given the choice of being kept with professional killers or staying in a solitary cell in section 1 of Gohardasht Prison known as the Doghouse where he is violently tortured. Tehrani refused both options presented to him by prison officials Kermani, Faraji and Akharian with the intent of physically eliminating him. Kermani, the head of the Protection and Intelligence Department and Hassan Akharian the head of section 1 extended his time in solitary in the doghouse. This is while he was told before this that he would be kept in solitary for 20 days and his term ended on Sunday (March 28). Before this, Kermani and Faraji the head and assistant head of the prison's Protection and Intelligence Department and Hasan Akharian, the head of section 1 had subjected Behrouz Javid Tehrani to psychological and physical pressure telling him to deny all the reports about the medieval conditions of Gohardasht Prison and announce them as false. Akharian especially stressed that he deny that section 1 was temporary freed and controlled by prisoners on February 10 and that Hassan Akharian was beaten by prisoners and ran away after his clothes were taken off by prisoners. He was told that if he did not deny these reports, he would be kept in the Doghouse until he ceased to exist.

There is a campaign underway to save Behrouz Javid Tehrani. You can find more information regarding this campaign on http://www.sos-tehrani.blogspot.com/. The website is in Farsi, for all of those who cannot read farsi the campaign is to support Behrouz Tehrani and to voice our concerns about the way he is being treated in prison.

Jahan state-run websiteSassy Mankan who was in Kish Island for the New Years holiday was arrested by military forces in this island after being identified in one of the Bazaars. There are no credible reports on why he was arrested. This pop singer performed a few songs in support of Mehdi Karroubi for his election campaign.

After the cutting down of 204 trees in the 22 Bahman Highway in Zanjan, one of the offenders was tied to a tree in the morning where the crime was committed. A man identified as H.N, one of the residents of this neighborhood, was arrested and a criminal record was made for him. Mohammad-Reza Hamidi, the head of the Judiciary in Zanjan said in this ceremony that cutting down trees in public places is a crime. "This offender has paved the road for others to cut down trees by cutting down 9 trees", he added

In an illegal trial, the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad sentenced a former member of the Human Rights Activists in Iran to one year of prison. Judge Khodadadi, the head of the 1st branch of the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad sentenced Sama Behbahani, a human rights activist from Bandar Abbas on charges of being a member of the Human Rights Activists in Iran to six months of prison and to another six months of prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the government. According to reports, after the finalization of this sentence, her case will be sent to the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj for her previous sentence of 3 years in prison to be carried out. Sama Behbahani was illegally tried twice for the same charges.

The Shiraz Intelligence Agency has forced 50 young Baha'is to participate in Islamic propaganda classes. These 50 young men and women have also been banned from leaving the country. They were arrested in May 19, 2006 for giving social services to deprived villages around Shiraz and despite carrying permits to teach children in this area, the Shiraz Intelligence Agency has forced them to participate in these classes for three years. The (instructors in these) classes insult and harass these Baha'is and their beliefs.

Shahnaz Gholami, an Azeri activist and women's rights activist was sentenced to 8 years of prison by the Revolutionary Court in Tabriz. She was sentenced on charges of spreading lies, spreading propaganda against the government and being a member of and active in the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran by cooperating with the Homa News Agency. This sentence was issued even as Gholami has been out of the country for close to a year to get political asylum and is currently in Turkey with her daughter. She has denied any affiliations with the PMOI.

Maryam Zia, a children's rights activist was transferred to the infirmary in Evin Prison on her 12th day of hunger strike after her physical condition deteriorated. Her condition had worsened since a few days ago but prison officials refused to treat her to put increasing pressure on her. She is suffering from very low blood pressure, excessive weakness, and severe headaches and can barely walk or move. She has also been separated from other political prisoners and is kept with ordinary and dangerous criminals. Zia went on a hunger strike protesting the fact that an intelligence agent interrogator named Yaseri refuses to release her despite a bail which was paid for her release on March 17. Maryam Zia, 40, is married with two children and is a children's rights activist. She was arrested on December 31, 2009 after intelligence agents raided her home and was transferred to section 209 in Evin Prison and was then transferred to the women's section after two months

Human Rights Activists in IranA number of plainclothes agents attacked young people attending the funeral of Mrs. Rabbani, the wife of the late Ayatollah Montazeri. These plainclothes agents attacked a number of young people who were chanting intending to arrest them and this led to clashes between security forces and the people.

The funeral for the wife of the late Ayatollah Montazeri was turned into a place for identifying mourners by security forces for future confrontations. Security forces were present from the morning equipped with cameras near the home of Ayatollah Montazeri and filmed those who attended. According to an eye witness, a large group of people had gathered from the morning outside Montazeri's home were threatened with arrest by security forces.

A suppressive element tries to arrest and beat a girl who is filming the riots. As she resists being arrested, woman by passer approaches and protects her and gets beaten up for this. They both scream and resist against the agent, while youth near by attack and defend the two girls, and rescue them as they chant "down with Dictator"

82 Youth in Esphahan , have been arrested for participating in the fire festivities known as 4shanbesoori. These youth have participated in the celebrations despite immense threats and security controls imposed in the city

More than nine months after the June presidential election, five members of the Council to Defend the Right to Education remain in prison; some of them are facing long sentences.

On the official weblog of the Council to Defend the Right to Education, it states, “The association was formed in 2007 by a group of starred and banned university students.”

Part of the council’s latest statement issued in the wake of harsh sentences handed down against its members reads: “We testify before the Iranian people that our friends have done nothing but demand for their rights; all the allegations against them are baseless. The accusations are revenge [tactics] the enemies of freedom are taking against starred students.”

(Translator’s note: The Ministry of Advanced Education in Iran uses a “star” system to crack down on student activists. Through this approach, the students considered to have “disciplinary” issues are assigned stars, and are subsequently banned from university. Iranian officials, however, deny the existence of starred students, even though the students have been vocal about their situation).

In the days before the presidential election, starred students gathered several times in front of the Ministry of Advanced Education, the state television and radio building, the University of Tehran, and some of the squares in Tehran to protest Ahmadinejad’s statements. After the election, and in the course of the widespread arrests of political activists, ten members from the council were arrested.

Ziaoldin [Zia] Nabavi, the spokesperson for the Council to Defend the Right to Education was arrested on June 15, 2009 while at his friend’s home. After more than nine months, he remains in detention without the right to temporary release. Reports indicate that he has endured beatings in prison. Nabavi is currently detained in ward 350 of Evin prison.

In his letter to the head of the judiciary, student activist Zia Nabavi wrote: “I never said anything more than the truth during the interrogations. Even though I was under severe psychological, and at times, physical pressures (sit-ups, kicks, blows to the back of the head, insults, etc.), I never confessed to an offence I did not commit. In fact, due to the transparent nature of the student movement, there is nothing to hide in our activities as students banned from education.”

Zia Nabavi was sentenced to 15 years in prison and 74 lashes by judge PirAbbasi from branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. Nabavi received three years for “conspiracy and association to act against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” one year for “disturbance of public order,” 74 lashes for “agitation and provocation of the public mind,” and ten years imprisonment in the town of Izeh in the province of Kerman (In south eastern Iran) for “cooperation with Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MKO).”

Although Zia Nabavi did not confess to any of the accusations against him, he was still charged with and convicted of collaboration with the MKO. After the sentencing, Nabavi explained in a phone conversation that judge PirAbbasi told him, “Despite the fact that you are young, and in spite of not confessing to ties with the MKO, I have no choice but to find you guilty of such ties based on the written request of the Ministry of Intelligence.”

The latest news on Zia Nabavi’s indicates that his case has not been sent to any of the appeals court branches, and his family is not capable of paying the $500,000 USD (approximate amount) bail set for him.

Majid Dorri, another member of the council, was arrested in Qazvin on July 9, 2009, and imprisoned in Evin prison. Dorri was the secretary for the Student Committee to Protect Civil Rights.

Dorri was sentenced to eleven years in prison by branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in January 2010. Similar to Zia Nabavi, Dorri was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for “ties with the MKO.” He is a student from Allameh Tabatabai University, but he was suspended for six months for his activities.

Mahdieh Golroo, another member of the Council to Defend the Right to Education, has been in prison since December 3, 2009. Her case has been referred to branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, but no trial has been held yet. Since her imprisonment, Golroo suffers from an intestine infection.

Shiva Nazar Ahari, another council member, has been imprisoned for almost 100 days. Previously she was released on a $200,000 USD bail in October 2009 after spending 102 days in Evin prison. Shiva Nazar Ahari is also a women’s rights activist and a prominent member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters. She was banned from continuing her education while studying her master’s in civil engineering.

Peyman Aref, another member of the council, was arrested on June 18, 2009 in the province of Gilan (located in northern Iran). He was serving his military service in the Gilan Provincial Police training office. He was transferred to Tehran’s Evin prison two days later. Aref then began to serve an 18-month prison sentence handed down to him previously.

On March 4, 2010, Peyman Aref was able to leave prison on a bail of approximately $100,000 USD. However, he was sent back to prison on March 16, 2010, days before Norooz (Persian New Year). Aref has been sentenced to one year in prison, and 74 lashes for new charges.

Other members of the council arrested in recent months include Hesam Salamat, Saeed Jalalifar, Zahra Tohidi, and Alireza Khoshbakht.

Hesam Salamat was arrested on June 20, 2009 after a raid on his home by security forces. After his release, he was re-arrested on July 6, 2009. He was released late August 2009. The lower court has sentenced Salamat to four years in prison. Salamat was ranked first in the PhD national examination, and was admitted to the faculty of sociology at the University of Tehran, but he was subsequently starred and banned from continuing his education.

Saeed Jalalifar is another banned student who was studying at Zanjan University. He was arrested on November 30, 2009 and released on March 16, 2010. In addition to being active in the area of the right to education, he is a member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, and the Association to Defend Child Labour and Street Children.

Marzieh Zia, has been released after bearing 3 months imprisonment, and after undertaking 13 days of hunger strike.Ms. Zia was welcomed by many families who have been lining up in front of Evin for the past weeks. The crowd embarrassed her with triumph

She has had considerable loss of weight and is in bad condition, but has rejoiced over her triumph after an International campaign had managed to bring pressure.

Seyyed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi,, who is detained in the clerics ward of Evin prison, was beaten and insulted by guards. He was also threatened with transfer to solitary confinement. The prison officials have offered no explanation, but it seems the assault was due to earlier unsuccessful attempts to put pressure on Boroujerdi. Prosecutor Ghadyani had threatened Boroujerdi several times that his situation [in prison] will worsen.

* Seyyed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi is an Iranian Shia Muslim cleric who advocates the separation of religion and government and has been imprisoned several times by the Iranian government.

Aliyeh Eghdamdoost was held in solitary confinement for one week after she read out a brief history of International Women’s Day in Evin. A new legal case has been opened against her.

RAHANA – A small group of prisoners at Evin’s women’s ward held a ceremony on March 8. During the ceremony, Aliyeh Eghdamdoost read out a brief of International Women’s dayAccording to Change for Equality, following the ceremony, Eghdamdoost was summoned by the head of the Prosecutor’s office (magistrate court) located inside Evin Prison. She was indicted for ‘reading out an article”, “giving a speech for women on the occasion of March 8”, “inciting feminist activities”, “false propaganda against the regime”, “insulting the Leader and the president” and “promoting socialism”. She was taken to solitary confinement at ward 209 where she was interrogated over the aforementioned charges. According to Eghdamdoost, her interrogations continued after her release from solitary.Eghdamdoost subsequently appeared before judge Abdi at the branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Evin Prison where she was questioned about her reasons for reading out the March 8 history. She was then arraigned on one count of promoting socialism and 2 counts of insulting the Leader and the president. Eghdamdoost rejected the charges and pleaded not guilty. During the entire period she was denied access to lawyer and was not allowed to call her family or her lawyer Ms. Ghanavi.Aliyeh Eghdamdoost was arrested in January of 2008 to serve a 3 year jail term given to her for taking part in a gathering against discriminatory laws held on June 12, 2006 at 7 Tir Square.

Ravanews Website There is still no news on the whereabouts of a Kurd member of the Mir Hossein Moussavi's election staff who suddenly disappeared 8 months ago in Orumieh.Mansour Miri Kalaniki, who has a master's degree in geopolitics, suddenly disappeared on July 17, 2009 and there is absolutely no news on his whereabouts. After the disappearance of this Kurd civil rights activist, his father Ali Miri Kalaniki was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence and is currently in the Public Orumieh Prison

Jaras Sina Golchin, a student who was released on a very heavy bail to spend the new years with his family was once again summoned and jailed for refusing to cooperate with the Ministry of Intelligence to confess on radio and for not cooperating with security forces while on the new years leave. According to informed sources, this 20 year old student who was arrested after Ashura (December 27, 2009) was initially charged with being a mohareb (enemy of God) and sentenced to death, but was later sentenced to 8 years of prisoner after judicial officials claimed that he was subject to 'Islamic clemency'.

AFP Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in his new year message to the nation on Saturday that Iran had defeated 'enemies' last year who plotted against the Islamic revolution.'The enemy of the Islamic republic, after a lapse of 30 years, concentrated all its efforts so that it could defeat the revolution from inside,' Khamenei said in a message broadcast on state television.'But the Iranian nation, with exceptional resistance, alertness and determination, defeated the enemy's plots'.Khamenei has regularly blamed foreign powers, especially the United States and Britain, for the deadly unrest which erupted after the re-election last June of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad.

According to reports, the prison sentence of a student activist in the province of Mazandaran was confirmed. A court of Review in Mazandaran upheld the six months prison sentence for Moshfeq Samandari who has been jailed for 80 days in a solitary cell in the Intelligence Agency Detention Center in Sari. He was charged with advertising Baha'ism. According to report, this student activist is suffering from heart problems due to pressures from unsuitable prison conditions and interrogations and is currently receiving treatment.

Jaras WebsiteMohsen Barzegar, a student activist in the Nonshirvani Industrial University in Babol who is jailed in this prison in this city was beaten by a number of other prisoners on Sunday and then hospitalized. This is while the officer in charge of the section who was present in the scene ignored the beating. Barzegar is currently hospitalized in the Babol Prison Infirmary. He was arrested in the protests after the presidential elections and was sentenced to 10 months of prison and a one year suspension from education.

Jaras WebsiteMohsen Barzegar, a student activist in the Nonshirvani Industrial University in Babol who is jailed in this prison in this city was beaten by a number of other prisoners on Sunday and then hospitalized. This is while the officer in charge of the section who was present in the scene ignored the beating. Barzegar is currently hospitalized in the Babol Prison Infirmary. He was arrested in the protests after the presidential elections and was sentenced to 10 months of prison and a one year suspension from education.

Kurdistan Human Rights OrganizationThree members of a family from Orumieh were sentenced to death for social crimes in a Mahabad Court. A Kurd mother and her two children who were arrested for social related crimes were sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad. These prisoners are Jazieh Darvish Zadeh and her two children Afsaneh Darvish Zadeh, 19 and Fatollah Darvish Zadeh, 21. They are currently detained in Mahabad Prison.

A Kurd resident of the Shandareh Village in Sardasht located in the Western Azarbaijan Province identified as Ribvar Nosrati (Shandareyi) was killed after an SSF agent opened fire on him. Nostrati was suspected of carrying smuggled goods and was targeted and killed near a village in Baneh. He died instantly. Nosrati was married and had children.